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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Old Thoughts for the New Day, continued
So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. (Romans 7:4—NIV)
When we come to Christ we should be taught first of all that we are received of God because the blood of Jesus Christ has made an atonement for our sins. We cannot save ourselves, we must come to God for the protection and forgiveness of the blood.
Next, we are to repent. This is to say, we are to turn away in our heart from the world, from sin, and from our personal ambition.
God has given us water baptism as a sign, a drama by which we can demonstrate that we have been circumcised in heart. In water baptism we by faith take our place with Christ on the cross, counting that our first personality indeed has died. Now we are free from the Law of Moses so we may walk in newness of life with the Lord Jesus Christ.
We have turned away in our heart from the ways of the world, from sin, and from our own personal ambition and self-centeredness.
Until we take this step of renunciation of the world, sin, and disobedience, we are not circumcised in heart. We can talk about Joel's army, the latter rain, and the Kingdom of God all we want to. But we will never bear witness as we should or rule with Jesus Christ until we have been circumcised.
As for cutting away the world:
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. (I John 2:15,16—NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1,2—NIV)
As for cutting away the lusts of the flesh:
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (II Corinthians 7:1—NIV)
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24—NIV)
And as for cutting away our own will and way:
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:34,35—NIV)
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (I John 2:17—NIV)
To be continued.